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Planning Board to Forward Revised Homeless Shelters and Public Camping Ordinance After Legal Review
Summary
Town Planner Turner Allen reviewed a recent Supreme Court ruling and the board approved forwarding a revised Homeless Shelters and Public Camping Ordinance to the Selectboard with changes to setbacks, variance language, and a clarification that facilities — not the Town — are responsible for staff vetting (vote 5-1).
Town Planner Turner Allen told the Planning Board on April 21 that a recent Supreme Court ruling clarified limits on public camping enforcement and prompted the board to revisit local shelter rules. Allen reviewed enforcement implications and operational details for shelter licensing and compliance.
The board focused the discussion on licensing standards, annual inspections, setback flexibility and site-standard variances. Members agreed the ordinance language should make clear that individual facilities are responsible for vetting staff and meeting operational requirements, rather than assigning that responsibility to the Town.
Planning Board member Michelle Kelso opposed forwarding the measure as revised; the board voted 5-1 to send the amended ordinance to the Selectboard for further action. The meeting record does not show who moved or seconded the forwarding motion for this item.
If the Selectboard takes up the ordinance, staff said it will reflect the clarified staffing-responsibility language and the agreed adjustments to setback and variance provisions.
